The Boeing 787 Dreamliner departed Bush Intercontinental Airport 7:20 a.m. on Sunday, November 4. The new plane carried over 200 passengers from Houston to Chicago, touching the ground two and a half hours after taking off.

Shortly before the flight took place, United Airlines completed its Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification process for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

"I want to thank my co-workers who worked so carefully and professionally to get United certified to operate the Dreamliner," said Jeff Smisek, president and CEO of United Continental Holdings Inc. (the holding company for United Airlines). "Many people from across the company put in a lot of work to help us induct and prepare to operate the 787, and I'm proud to share this important day with all of them."

The 787 Dreamliner was delayed for years before this official debut, mainly due to manufacturing and cost-related issues. Delays have dated back as far as 2008.

The787 Dreamlineris an efficient airplane made of lightweight carbon composites, which features a whole new passenger experience with dimmable windows, LED lights, reclining business class seats and even higher humidity. These lighter materials mean airlines can use less fuel.

The Dreamliners have 36 first-class seats, 70 premium-economy seats and 113 economy seats. United said it ordered 50 787s.

I flew US-Australia this summer for vacation taking the 747 one way and the A380 the other; I hope Boeing's on the ball with the 787, because the A380 was was enough nicer that by choice I'd always take it over the 747. The 380 was quieter and smoother; but that could've just been an artifact of seat location (OTOH since the premium economy section is only ~105 of the cabin I'd be getting the same experience if I ever fly the route again).

The other big difference I noticed between the two was air quality; the lower pressure/humidity in the 747 left my lips chapped and raw by the end of the flight flying the A380 I was fine at the end. Having one seat fewer in each row and (I think) slightly wider aisles was a nice plus as well.

The only thing Airbus (Qantas?) got wrong was with the upper cabin bathrooms; the curving fuselage cut into the space above the seat badly. My immediate reaction was "this had to've been the work of an all male design team".